The tremendous benefits of owning pets can never be overstated. While dogs and cats are some of the most common pets, the level of responsibility involved isn’t for everyone, and many turn to other options, such as keeping pet fish. Koi fish, to be specific, are naturally beautiful and can add tremendous value to your property.
Anyone with an outdoor pond or an aquarium surely needs to include these fish in their collection. Originating in Japan, koi fish have long been believed to have a charm of good luck and fortune. However, such magnificence and beauty comes at a price. When you decide to start keeping koi fish, there are a few things to be keen about from the start. If you wish to include them in your pond, here are few tips to get you started.
1. Building the Koi Pond
Taking good care of your pet requires investing in the right shelter for them. Ponds are usually purpose-built habitats, and should include everything the fish would have access to if they were living in their natural habitat. Koi fish have specific needs that are different from the needs of many other types of pond fish, which means that before introducing them to a pre-existing pond, you need to consider a few factors.
For starters, the pond is best kept outdoors. You also need to make sure it is at least 4 to 8 feet in diameter. The width and length of the pond will depend on the number you fish you intend to keep. When building your koi pond, make sure it doesn’t have any dead spots, as they are known to cause health issues due to the buildup of toxins.
2. Basic Care
Koi fish take care of themselves. However, the pond’s cleaning and nourishment of the fish is left to you. You need to make sure their pond is always clean by filtering the water regularly. The frequency of cleaning is dependent on several factors, but the most significant is the quality of your filtration system. A good aquarium filtration system ensures that less cleaning is required over time. Feeding is usually done twice a day. It may seem like they need more, but it’s advisable to give them food that they will clear within five minutes. This maintains their health and keeps the pond clean.
3. Types of Koi
A wide variety of koi fish exist, with the main difference being the color of their bodies. Different types of Koi can grow up to a length of 3 feet. Typically, they are white and silver. Their variation comes in the colorful spots and markings seen on their bodies. As clearly displayed at the Koi Market Aquatic Gardens in Huntington, New York, the markings vary from red, deep blue, gold, orange, and black, among others. Each type has a specific color combination. Once you have decided to keep koi, always do some research to find out which color combination best interests you and ensure you are getting healthy fish.
4. Diseases
Like any other living creature, koi are susceptible to illnesses. They are mainly affected by Koi herpesvirus, which affects all varieties. Once affected by this virus, the fish often have only a 20% chance of survival. The symptoms include sunken eyes, red and white lesions at the gills, and difficulties in breathing. You need to always inspect any new carp being introduced into the pond. Also, be sure to quarantine new fish for at least two weeks before introducing them into your pond.
Koi fish are very beautiful, making them a great choice of aquatic attraction in your home. Their bright colors can make your pond quite the spectacle. The tips above should get you started if you plan on keeping these beautiful fish as pets.
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